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NASA probe data reveals origins of auroras on Mars
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Scientists used archived data from NASA's lost MAVEN probe to explain how auroras form on Mars. The findings reveal that solar wind interactions with the planet's magnetic fields drive the phenomenon, offering new insights into Martian…
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NASA probe data reveals origins of auroras on Mars
Researchers have decoded the mechanism behind auroras on Mars using data from NASA's MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) probe, which lost contact in 2022. The study, published on July 24, shows that auroras on Mars are triggered by interactions between solar wind and localized magnetic fields on the planet's crust. Unlike Earth's global auroras, Martian auroras occur in patches due to its patchy magnetic field. The findings were derived from MAVEN's archived observations, providing critical data despite the probe's loss. The discovery enhances understanding of space weather on Mars and its potential impact on future missions.
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